1855 manuscript letter from James and Oliff Johnson of Murray Co., Ga written to family in Texas discussing health, domestic affairs, farming, religion, etc. back at home

Murray County, Georgia: n/a, 1855. Manuscript. Good. Letter. Approx. 13" x 8". 2 pages. Light blue paper with several vertical and horizontal folds. No address, envelope or postal mark associated with the letter. The writing is in the same hand. There are several misspelled words in this manuscript. It is signed at the end James Johnson and Oliff Johnson. The letter begins with "Murry Co., however the spelling should be "Murray" instead. The letter is dated September 17th, 1855 and addressed to "Dear Sons and Daughters". The contents of the letter are transcribed below with words spelled as they appear. Murray County, Georgia is located in the north Georgia mountains northwest of Calhoun and east of Dalton Georgia. There are records for the James and Olif (corrected spelling) Johnson found in Ancestry web site in the 1860 Murray County Georgia census. Their respective ages were 75 for James and 71 for Oliff. James Johnson was born in Virginia and Olif was born in North Carolina. Other census records for the Johnson family in Murray County are found in the 1860 and 1870 Murray County census. The writer begins: "I take my 'Sete to right you a few lines to let you know that we are yet in the land of the living - I and your mother helth is febel we are both infirm but on foot. John famley are all well - James S. Brooks and Ruth is living here by us Ruths helth is vary bad indeed Scairsly abel at go about - we cant tell ennything much about your brothers - Francis is in Coosa ala Jesse is in "polden Co Ga James Turner? is in walker Co near the tensee line practising medison we have not herd from none of them recently - you See by this it is my own hand - an it may be the last I may ever rite to you my dear Children - we received your letter on the 5th - of this instent jest one month from the time it was rote - which gives us grate satisfaction To hear from you all and to hear your wellfair - we have been looking for a letter for a long time - Sence we have been in Murry I have rote you two letters this is the third and we have received two from the Children - rite frequently - we have had good seasons this year last year we had a Sever drouth - but now we have good Crops both of corne and whete - I want now to Say Sumthing on the Subject of Religen I think it is in a tollenable? prospers State our last Quertly meeting Commenst the 22nt of august it was protracted for twelve days and nights in sucsion - the power of God was made manafest in the Connicsion and Convirsion of menney and there was fifty two joind the Church. James S. Brooks and his Sons wesley and francis have all joind the Church - we think we enjoy Sumthing of the Comforts of Religen in our declining year - we are looking forward with a pleasing antisapation to our long and happy rest in heaven - my dear Children live faithful to God try to grow in grace and in the knoledge of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ [end page 1].

Noble we shall not forget your request in our Suplicasions at a throne of grace - we pray you may have all the graces and Christen fortitude you need - Or that you may be Sustained Strenthned and blest by the holy Spiret of our blesed Redemer may you discharge your duty in that office as a Leader in the Curch of God - Job my son I want you to help Noble in his class meting - pray and Sing with him and with them in the Class meting ad thereby you will enjoy much Religion youSelf live exemplry my Son before your Children rais them up in the nuncher? and admonishing of the Lord - Louisa John and Elvira we want you all to be good Children the good book Sais be thou faithful unto death and I will give you the Crown of life - Mary and Gorge we did not hear that you got Religen an Joind the Church- but we hope to hear that in the next letter we git from texis - we want to see you all vary much and Often think we would be glad to be in texis with you all - write to us without fail as Soon as git this letter and write whither your ant polley Brown betsy Cozby is in texis or not - So no more - give our Respects to all inquiring friens - we still Remain your affectnate parance till Death [Signed] James Johnson Ollif Johnson. (Inventory #: 23526)